It’s inauguration eve and Trump is ready to revel in his return to power
Trump said Saturday that unity would be a theme of his inauguration speech Monday at the Capitol, along with strength and fairness.
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IRS Commissioner Werfel says he’ll step down on Trump’s Inauguration Day
Daniel Werfel early departure will be unusual, since IRS commissioners’ terms typically extend from one presidential administration into another.
GOP-backed bill to increase oversight of Indiana water projects gets early support in committee
The measure would require a utility or large private-sector project leader to obtain an approval permit before carrying out a project where significant amounts of water are moved from one water basin in the state to another.
Legislative roundup: The latest on bills IBJ is tracking this legislative session
IBJ is watching key bills that could impact the state’s economic development, health care and workforce efforts.
Indiana lawmakers advance 15-and-under social media ban
Senate Bill 11 would require a social media operator such as Facebook or TikTok to restrict a minor from accessing the site if they did not receive “verifiable parental consent”
Indiana lawmakers contemplate slashing unemployment insurance timespan
Indiana workers who become unemployed through no fault of their own can claim unemployment insurance for up to 26 weeks under state law. Senate Bill 123 would slash that to 14 weeks.
UPDATE: Braun outlines cost-cutting goals for state agencies, plans to up spending in key areas
Indiana Gov. Mike Braun is scheduled to present his proposal to the State Budget Committee on Thursday afternoon.
Trump adviser says president-elect exploring options to ‘preserve’ TikTok
While the Supreme Court is still expected to issue a ruling or order on the case this week, its continued silence has amped up the tension in years-long drama over the fate of TikTok.
Bill threatens to revoke Indiana hospitals’ nonprofit status for overcharging patients
The bill is part of mounting scrutiny by lawmakers of the prices hospital systems charge patients covered by commercial health insurance, typically provided by their employers.
CHIPs act to ramp up U.S. semiconductor production, but at a high cost, report finds
The government subsidies behind the expected chip manufacturing boom mean that each job created will cost taxpayers about $185,000 a year–twice the average annual salary of U.S. semiconductor employees, the report found.
School districts, coalitions punch back at bill that would close their doors
A Republican-backed bill that could dissolve five Indiana school districts, including Indianapolis Public Schools, sparked backlash from advocates and district leaders who argue the legislation unfairly targets high-poverty and urban districts that primarily educate children of color.
NCAA seeks help from Congress, plans to dole out $1.2B to help pay settlement
NCAA President Charlie Baker is banking on the momentum college sports appears to be gaining since preliminary approval of the House settlement, which calls for schools to pay players directly for use of their name, image and likeness.
Cleveland-Cliffs CEO says he wants to buy U.S. Steel if Nippon deal fails
Comments by Cleveland-Cliffs chief executive Lourenco Goncalves came after the Biden administration over the weekend extended the deadline for Nippon to abandon its $14.9 billion bid for U.S. Steel to June.
Deadline extended on Nippon’s bid for U.S. Steel, offering hope that deal isn’t dead
The new deadline, now in mid-June, was viewed by U.S. Steel—and investors—as an opportunity for the companies to complete the acquisition.
Braun names more agency heads on eve of inauguration
Indiana Gov.-elect Mike Braun has announced the appointment of eight individuals to lead various state agencies and departments in the new administration.
Tech giants who vilified Trump are now giving him millions
After giving sparsely to the presidential inaugurations of Trump in 2017 and Joe Biden in 2021, the country’s biggest tech firms—Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft, Uber—have showered the president-elect with gifts or pledges of $1 million each.
Two Senate bills propose new oversight of water withdrawals following LEAP pipeline concerns
One of the bills—which made the Senate Republican agenda—would require permits for projects that move significant amounts of water from one area of the state to another.
Trump sentenced in hush money case, will not face jail or probation
New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan, who oversaw the trial, gave Donald Trump an unconditional discharge, meaning the president-elect will not face time behind bars, a fine or probation.
Supreme Court declines to delay Trump’s hush money sentencing
Five of the nine justices said President-elect Donald Trump’s immunity concerns about evidence presented at his trial can be addressed “in the ordinary course on appeal.”
Indiana bill would ban social media accounts for Hoosiers under age 16 without parental consent
The measure would require a social media operator like Facebook or TikTok to restrict a minor from accessing the site if they did not receive “verifiable parental consent” from the minor’s parent.